The Grenada gazette., 1887-06-11

deeply. He could not contradict any
thing Rachel had said but his gener-
Gus, honest heart ached for her in her
loneliness and distress, and he was
miserable that he was unable to help
her.
But what will you do, R achel?' he
asked.
Heaven only knows answered
the girl. bitter ring to her soft voice.
"The mortgage was due a year ago,
and the farm belongs to Squire Ken
nedy. All I have is the horse. two
cows. some hogs, and few hens. The
furniture in the house is hardly worth
mentioning"
won't Miss Ann Pritchard help
you, Rachel?"
cousin Ann? No; she never helped
any one in her life.'
"There's Mrs. Barrows."
Rachel shook her head.
''She's quite as close as Cousin Ann,
and she never liked me. I played
a mischievous joke on her years ago.
when l was child, and she has never
forgiven nor forgotten it,"
But your Cousin Ann is rich,
Rachel, and is getting old. When she
dies she must leave her money to some
one. and probably you will come in for
good share. Why can't she give you
little now, when you need it too
much?"
because she loves her money better
than any thing else in this world John,
and it hurts her to spend even cent
that Is not absolutely necessary. You
are mistaken in thinking will come in
for any of it when she dies. She has
always declared that she would leave
it to some one who would know how to
take care of it, and she thinks me a
useless incumbrance on the face of the
earth"
"And you won't ask her to give you
q home, even for little while?"
mo, John; she wouldn't do it, and
l have too much pride to ask for what
is not offered. Cousin Emma. bless
her kind heart, has asked me to come
to her house and take pot luck with
her seven children; but, of course, l
would not do that She can not afford
to have me-"
"You might teach"
Il have neither the ability nor the
health to teach, John. 1t is not to be
thought of for moment
Then you must marry me, Rachel.
There's nothing else for you to do, and
we will get along somehow, dear; don't
worry
II will not marry you until we can
have home of our own, John. 1t is
of no use to urge it. And don't you
worry. l will work this problem out
alone. and let you know the result to-
morrow or next day. We will not talk
of it any more now.'
But the problem was very difficult
one. and working it out'' was not
easy under the circumstances. Rachel's
poor health was an obstacle that stood
like a stone-wall across her path. She
could not teach, sew, or do house.
work, and she could not help thinking,
as she tossed restlessly on her bed the
night after her fathers funeral, how
hard thing it was to be born
woman.
There is nothing, absolutely moth
ing. I can do" she thought. Il can't
even die, and so be beyond the need Of
food and clothes. l must live. eat,
and be properly dressed-somehow."
When she went downstairs to
breakfast the next morning, she took
counsel with Margaret. But the old
servant could not help her; she could
only advise an appeal to Miss Ann,
and Rachel would not consider this for
a moment.
She went out in the garden, and
throwing herself down on a low bench
near the gate, bowed her head IN her
hands, and cried softly. She felt
lonely and desolate, and the future
looked so cheerless and dark.
II would do any thing, any thing at
ALL" she thought, III only could earn
my living"
Suddenly an idea came into her
mind, born she knew not how nor OF
what thought, and she sprang to her
feet as If electrified.
1T is the very thing!" she exclaimed.
and ran into the house to tell Margaret
the problem was solved.
The old woman was aghast when she
heard the solution.
"Oh, Miss Rachel" she cried, Miss